New director for Menzies School of Health Research

Menzies School of Health Research’s (MSHR) new director, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, takes up his position this week.

Professor Carapetis was appointed to replace former director Professor Kerin O’Dea in October 2005.

Between 1994 and 1998 Professor Carapetis, a specialist in paediatric infectious diseases, conducted doctoral studies at MSHR into group A streptococcal diseases in the Aboriginal population. This work translated into important public health interventions, including the establishment of Australia’s first rheumatic heart disease control program in NT.

Professor Carapetis holds qualifications as a medical practitioner, specialist paediatric physician, specialist infectious diseases physician, and specialist public health physician, as well as a PhD. He has consulted for the World Health Organisation and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne.